Proposed Illinois law would raise age for senior driving tests from 79 to 87
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - The Illinois Secretary of State, AARP and a bipartisan group of lawmakers are advocating for changes to the state’s driving laws, which they argue unfairly target older drivers.
What we know:
Illinois is the only state in the nation that mandates behind-the-wheel driving tests for seniors based solely on age, with the current requirement beginning at age 79.
A proposed law would raise the age requirement for these driving tests to 87, significantly reducing the number of older drivers who need to take the test.
Drivers aged 81 to 86 would still need to visit a DMV facility every two years for license renewal but would not be required to take a driving test under the new proposal.
The legislation also addresses another key concern: Illinois is one of only five states that does not allow immediate family members to report concerns about a relative’s driving ability.
The proposal seeks to change that, giving families a formal way to express concerns about a loved one’s driving safety.
What they're saying:
"As Secretary of State, my top priority is ensuring that Illinois roads are safe," said Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias "Seniors are among the safest drivers of any age category. This measure will align Illinois senior driving standards with the rest of the nation while increasing safeguards so that Illinois maintains its status as one of the strictest states when it comes to driver safety and license renewals."
"AARP Illinois has heard for years from our members about how the driving test requirement disproportionately affects older drivers and perpetuates false narratives about their driving abilities," said AARP Illinois State Director Philippe Largent. "The research clearly shows that older drivers are the safest drivers on our roadways, and we believe that singling them out to take an extra test is a type of age discrimination and has to end."
By the numbers:
According to the latest Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) statistics, the 2023 crash rate for drivers aged 75 and older is 24.61 per 1,000 drivers—lower than the crash rates for all age groups between 16 and 74.
In Wisconsin, drivers renew their licenses every eight years without needing a driving test, regardless of age. Despite this, senior driver crash rates in Wisconsin are similar to those in Illinois, according to the Secretary of State's Office.